Homeowner Survival Kit: Tools for Basic Home Repairs
This kit has the basic tools you will need to be able to make the most common home repairs.
Hammer: Since the Stone Age man has used this tool in one form or another and for good reason: it is indispensable. A 16-ounce, curved-claw hammer will handle most tasks. Get one with a drop-forged steel head.
Screwdriver: Get one with changeable tips. With so many different kinds of fasteners, a screwdriver that can adapt to all of them is a must.
Duct tape: Is this a tool or a material? Both. With a little imagination, duct tape can be used for a variety of temporary repairs.
Putty knife: Putty knives are not just for putty but also for scraping, light prying, mixing materials and many other tasks. Use stiffer ones for scraping and more flexible ones for applying putty, glazing and spackling.
Tape measure: Measuring is required in almost any project. A 12-foot tape measure is good for most home repairs and a 25-foot one is better for carpentry and plumbing.
Vise grips: Use this tool, sometimes called locking pliers, for grabbing all sorts of things very tightly. It comes in handy for loosening nuts that won’t budge.
Utility knife: Utility knives are better than regular knives because their blades can be replaced when dull, and they are safer to use.
Hack saw: This saw is good for cutting metal or a variety of other materials including plastic. Select a variety of blades for a range of purposes.
Caulking gun: This tool is a must for dispensing caulk, glue and even tar for roof repairs.
Assorted fasteners: Repairs are all about putting things back together. A nice variety of nails, screws, etc. organized in a box with dividers will definitely come in handy.
Homeowner Survival Kit: Tools for Intermediate Home Repairs and Projects
If you find repairs easy, then you are ready to start your own improvement projects. The following kit will help you accomplish basic projects around the home.
Cordless drill/screwdriver: Ease of use is the main reason to go cordless. A higher voltage model has more power and longer life between charges. Keyless chucks are a necessity.
Square: Cutting materials square is the first step in making sure projects turn out right. This tool is a must.
Level: From hanging pictures to building a deck, a level is essential. Projects that are level and plumb look professional. Consider getting two levels: a two-footer and a torpedo.
Flat bar or pry bar: Starting a project often means tearing something out. This is where a flat bar will help. Use the claws on either end for removing nails.
Diagonal cutters: These cutters are not just for cutting wire but a many other materials such as small nails and dowels. Jaws and cutting blades should meet evenly.
Adjustable wrench: Flexibility makes this tool a must for turning nuts, bolts and plumbing fittings. While a set of sockets and wrenches is preferred, this wrench will get you by most of the time.
Drill bits: Get a kit that contains different bit sizes and varieties for drilling through different materials.
Jig saw: This saw is easy to use and can perform a wide variety of cutting jobs. Orbital varieties are also available.
Clamps (pair): A set of bar clamps is always useful for holding things together while they are glued or fastened.
Paint brush/roller kit: A good quality brush and roller are easier to clean and hold up longer than cheap varieties. You save in the long run. Consider an extension pole, too.
Homeowner Survival Kit: Tools for Advanced Home Repairs and Projects
These tools will let you do basic plumbing and wiring projects as well as most carpentry projects.
Pipe wrench (pair): Pipe wrenches work better in pairs because you often have to twist one piece of pipe while holding another one in place.
Adjustable pliers: Sometimes called channel locks, these pliers handle a variety of gripping and turning tasks including taking apart drains.
Multi tester (voltage tester): You should have this device if you are going to work on electrical circuit repairs.
Combination strippers: It cuts, it bends, it strips and it pinches; it’s a tool you’ll find indispensable for making up electrical boxes.
Circular saw: Unless you enjoy sawing by hand, a circular saw is something you cannot do without for cutting lumber. Make sure the blades are sharp.
Reciprocating saw: This power saw is especially good for demolition work because it cuts through nails. It also tackles a variety of other tasks.
Vise: A vise holds things perfectly in place while you work on them. It’s the best way to avoid the frustration of things slipping out of place.
Belt sander: This tool is great for quickly removing paint and other finishes. Belts with different grits give a variety of finishes from rough to smooth.
Allen wrench set: So many things, from furniture to faucets are put together with Allen screws that a wrench set is a must.
Pipe cutter: A heavy-duty pipe cutter can be used to cut a variety of pipe and tubing. Get one that meets your needs.